The Right Foods for Keeping Your Hair

Cara Stewart, RD, LDN, member of the Penn Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery team, provides nutrition recommendations for minimizing hair loss.

Hair loss is common after bariatric surgery. It can be caused by stress on your body from surgery, inadequate protein intake or rapid weight loss.

Hair is made of protein, and in the weeks and months following bariatric surgery, patients are often restricted to a liquid diet. Liquid protein supplements can help you compensate for the lack of protein during the post-operative time.

Depriving your body of protein can damage hair roots and weaken hair growth. Once the root is damaged, hair follicles cannot be salvaged. A few months after the lack of protein in your diet, your hair will break off as it grows through the scalp.

The good news is that with an adequate protein intake, your hair will grow back. A minimum of 60 to 80 grams of protein each day is recommended for optimal nutrition. In general, it is best to include a protein with every meal and snack.

Although less common, hair loss can also be caused by a deficiency in nutrients such as zinc, biotin, potassium, vitamin B6, or phosphorus. To prevent nutrient deficiencies, it is important to take the recommended vitamin and mineral supplements and nutrient-rich foods.

By consuming a wide variety of healthy foods, you can maintain your healthy head of hair.

- Cara Stewart, RD, LDN